How to Protect Your Home from Termites

Termites exist all over Mississippi and will eventually infest and damage any structure that contains wood or other cellulose components unless you properly protect those structures.

So, how do you protect your structures from termites? It is always best to prevent termites from entering your building to start with. To do that, it is important to treat both new construction and existing structures. This is done with either liquid treatments or bait treatments. Liquid termiticides are applied to the 1-foot soil strip next to the foundation. Bait stations are put into the ground at regular intervals around the foundation. Both can provide effective, long-term control. Annual inspections are also an important component in finding an infestation early.

But it’s not quite that simple. Treating your structure doesn’t mean that termites won’t find their way to a wonderful wood buffet inside your walls. There are many things you can do or allow to happen that can make your structures vulnerable to these pests. Check out this list from our Extension Publication 2568 Protect Your House from Termites:

• Not having the building properly treated for termites
• Not having the building annually inspected for termites
• Adding onto a building and not having the addition treated
• Adding a patio or deck and not having the area retreated
• Adding a trellis, steps, or other wood structure using untreated wood
• Allowing soil to contact siding or any wood portion of the house. Ideally, there should be at least 6 inches of clearance from soil to the lower edge of the siding.
• Inadequate ventilation under houses with crawl spaces
• Digging or tilling in the treated soil band
• Adding raised flowerbeds against the outer wall of the house
• Damage or destruction of bait stations that create gaps in termite protection around a building
• Stacking firewood or lumber against the house
• Piling mulch against the foundation
• Allowing leaves or pine straw to accumulate against the house
• Planting shrubs or flowerbeds too close to the foundation, making inspection difficult
• Trees growing too close to the house, where roots can grow under the foundation
• Soil being washed away from or against the foundation
• Removing or replacing treated soil when installing plumbing or other utilities
• Dogs or other animals digging in the treated soil band
• Water from the roof or downspouts dripping onto the treated soil band
• Water from air conditioners or leaky faucets dripping onto the treated soil band
• Excessive irrigation water leaching through the treated soil band
• Poor drainage, allowing water to pool against the foundation
• Moist wood due to plumbing leaks, structural leaks, or condensation. Leaks and moisture problems are major termite risk factors!

For more information about treating structures for termites, check out Extension Publication 2568 Protect Your House from Termites and Extension Publication 2765 What Homebuilders Need to Know about Termites.

You can find even more information about termites on our website.